Cardiac Imaging

While cardiac ultrasound is the widely used imaging modality for heart assessments, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and nuclear imaging are also used and are often complimentary, each offering specific details about the heart other modalities cannot. For this reason the clinical question being asked often determines the imaging test that will be used.

$Performing CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) improves the accuracy of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and helps limit unneeded invasive coronary angiography (ICA), according to a new study published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. Heartflow$
AI-based CAD assessments dramatically improve vascular surgery outcomes
PAD patients evaluated with HeartFlow's noninvasive FFR_CTAnalysis technology prior to surgery experienced much better outcomes, including a 63% lower risk of all-cause mortality after five years.
Cardiology ranked No. 2 among all specialties with 122 FDA-cleared AI models
Only radiology is associated with more FDA-cleared AI algorithms than cardiology, according to new federal data.
PaceMate names former Philips, BioTelemetry leader its new chief commercial officer
JR Finkelmeier has more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare and medical device industries.
Medtronic adds new AI models to its insertable cardiac monitors
The new algorithms are automatically applied in the cloud; patients wearing the devices are not required to take any additional steps.
World’s first dual-chamber leadless pacemaker still going strong after 6 months
Abbott’s Aveir DR leadless pacemaker, the first pacing offering of its kind to gain FDA approval, is linked to a consistent electrical performance six months after implant. Researchers tracked data from nearly 400 patients and presented their full findings in Heart Rhythm.

A TAVR procedure being performed at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago.

Heart damage after TAVR: Follow-up imaging helps cardiologists anticipate problems

While cardiac damage reverses in many patients following treatment, it can actually continue to get worse in others.

June 19, 2023

Abbott's TactiFlex flexible tip, force sensing ablation catheter (right), and its integration with the EnSite X EP mapping system (left) showing the distance from the last ablation. and the contact force during an AFib pulmonary vein isolation.

FDA clears first ablation catheter with flexible electrode tip, contact force sensing

Contact force-sensing catheters were developed to help overcome the issue of incomplete ablation lesions.

June 16, 2023

‘Notably high’ rates of PTSD, depression and anxiety seen in patients with implantable heart devices

"Psychologists have had little involvement in the care of cardiac patients but this needs to change," one researcher said in a statement.

June 16, 2023

Video of Jon Lindner explaining the use of ultrasound and bubble contrast for therapy.

Cardiac ultrasound could lead to key advances in heart attack care, drug delivery

Jonathan Lindner, MD, offers an update on the use of echocardiography and bubble contrast agents in a therapy role to help revascularize STEMI patients and increase drug and gene delivery.

June 15, 2023

The Pounce Thrombectomy System by Surmodics. The company just gained FDA clearance on a new version of the system for smaller arteries.

FDA clears new ‘grab-and-go’ interventional device for below-the-knee blood clot removal

The new device was designed to remove thrombi and emboli from peripheral arteries ranging from 2 to 4 mm.

June 14, 2023

Large peridevice leaks after left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) are incredibly rare and not associated with a greater risk of adverse outcomes, according to new research published in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology.[1] Smaller residual links are more common, however, and associated with a risk of thromboembolic and bleeding events.

‘A hugely significant development’: Severe heart condition reverses in 3 patients, shocking experts

Cardiologists and other physicians have always believed cardiac transthyretin amyloidosis, a progressive heart condition associated with a high mortality rate, was irreversible. Now, though, new evidence suggests that there may be hope.

June 13, 2023

Part of the graphical results from the Cedars-Sinai AI cardiac risk assessment tool from basic data like the patient’s age, gender, weight, heart rate, and blood pressure, and AI interpretation of cardiac imaging.

New Cedars-Sinai AI tool may predict cardiac events and better assess risk

Cedars-Sinai researchers are developing a deep-learning algorithm to personalize patient cardiac risk predictions in a patient-friendly, graphical report.

June 9, 2023

The Medtronic pulsed field ablation (PFA) system.

Pulsed field ablation shows more positive data as treatment for AFib

Pulsed field ablation is one of the biggest technology trends in cardiac electrophysiology and may become a new standard of care in atrial fibrillation the coming years based on clinical data.

June 8, 2023

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Health Imaging

New imaging protocols proposed to curb rise of cardiovascular infections

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.

Radiology Business

What does radiology have to do with climate change?

Kate Hanneman, MD, explains why many vendors and hospitals want to lower radiology's impact on the environment. "Taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint in healthcare isn’t just an opportunity," she said. "It’s also a responsibility."

Cardiac Imaging

AI-based CAD assessments dramatically improve vascular surgery outcomes

Cardiology ranked No. 2 among all specialties with 122 FDA-cleared AI models

PaceMate names former Philips, BioTelemetry leader its new chief commercial officer

Medtronic adds new AI models to its insertable cardiac monitors

World’s first dual-chamber leadless pacemaker still going strong after 6 months

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